Marriott Elites Just Got a Free Head Start on JAL Status — Here's How to Claim It

Marriott Bonvoy and JAL Mileage Bank announced a full strategic partnership on Tuesday, bringing status matches to elite members of both programs.

It's Marriott's first alliance of this kind with a Japanese airline, and JAL's first with a global hotel group. Under this partnership, every Marriott Bonvoy member — even those without elite status — gets free JAL FLY ON Points toward JAL elite status each year just for linking their accounts, no flight required.

The FLY ON Point haul scales with your Bonvoy tier: 2,000 for base members, 5,000 for Silver, 10,000 for Gold, 20,000 for Platinum, 30,000 for Titanium, and 40,000 for Ambassador.

JMB Crystal status requires 30,000 FLY ON Points, so Titanium and Ambassador members effectively status match to Crystal — which comes with oneworld Ruby benefits. Going the other direction, basic JMB and Crystal members can earn Bonvoy Silver with qualifying stays, while Sapphire members and above get complimentary Bonvoy Gold automatically — plus an accelerated challenge to Platinum with 10 eligible nights in six months.

A few things worth knowing: benefits renew each spring starting in year two, and elite night credits from credit cards or promotions do not count toward the stay-based accelerator challenges.

Andrew's Take

You might as well take advantage of this partnership. It takes about a minute to link your accounts and your FLY ON Points post almost instantly. If you hold Bonvoy Gold through an Amex Platinum, you're a third of the way to JMB Crystal before you've stepped on a plane, and Platinum Elites are two-thirds there. That's a useful head start on Oneworld status — albeit entry-level Ruby.